In accordance with Texas Water Code, the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District (HPWD) Board of Directors are seeking public comment on proposed Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) in Groundwater Management Area (GMA) 1 & 2.

A minimum 90-day public comment period began after the March 18 GMA 1 meeting and the March 25 GMA 2 meeting. Each groundwater conservation district within GMA 1 & GMA 2 is required to hold at least one hearing to receive public comments on the respective proposed DFCs. The DFC process is outlined in Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code.

On April 13, the Board of Directors scheduled two public hearings within the HPWD service area.

• June 8: 1:30 p.m., HPWD Office, 2930 Avenue Q, Lubbock, TX.

• July 13: 1:30 p.m., Kuhlman Extension Center, 200 N. Brown Rd., Canyon, TX

The hearings will be held in conjunction with regular HPWD monthly Board of Directors meetings.

The majority of HPWD lies within GMA 2, while portions of HPWD in Armstrong, Potter, and Randall Counties are in GMA 1. The GMA boundaries were established by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) in Austin.

A draft explanatory report of the proposed DFCs in both GMAs is available at www.hpwd.org/dfcs. A print copy is also available for review at the HPWD office in Lubbock.

“We encourage interested persons to use this reference document to learn more about factors that were considered during the joint planning process,” said HPWD General Manager Jason Coleman. He serves as the administrative officer for GMA 2.

The process of adopting a DFC was established by the Texas Legislature in 2005, and requires groundwater conservation districts to establish DFCs for relevant aquifers at least once every five years. This is the third time that groundwater conservation districts have established DFCs.

Comments regarding the proposed DFCs should be mailed to HPWD, 2930 Avenue Q, Lubbock, TX 79411-2499 or emailed to dfccomments@hpwd.org no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, July 30, 2021.